How Your Dental Health Affects Your Overall Health
The condition of your mouth is closely tied to your overall health. Taking care of your teeth is not just about having a nice smile and pleasant breath. Recent research has found a number of links between oral health and overall health. While in many cases, the nature of this link still is not clear, researchers have yet to conclude whether the connections are causal or correlative. The condition of your mouth is closely tied to your overall physical health. This is why it is important to come to regular dental examinations. We can inspect your teeth and mouth to ensure it is the healthiest it can be. If you notice any issues between regular dental inspections, make sure to contact us. Having the issue looked at with the first symptoms can help prevent a more costly and time-consuming fix to the problem. We can take dental x-rays as well as examine your mouth. If you are unsure what the best toothpaste or toothbrush is to use, we can also advise you on the options.
How to Improve Your Oral Health
If you are looking to improve your oral health, make sure to follow the basic recommendations. Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day. This will help to keep them clean while also removing any food particles. It will remove any tartar or plaque that may be starting to form. Also remember to floss your teeth once a day. This is beneficial because it will remove any food particles that may be stuck between your teeth. Also remember to come in for regular dental examinations. This way we can inspect the teeth for any issues that might be starting to form.
Oral Health and Heart Disease
As with diabetes, the connection between poor oral health and cardiovascular conditions has been recognized. The two are often found together. After removing the effects of the other risk factors of age, gender, and smoking, it was found that there was an independent relationship between gum disease and heart disease. One theory about why this may occur, is that small amounts of bacteria enter your bloodstream while you are chewing. The bad bacteria from an infected mouth may lodge itself inside blood vessels, ultimately causing dangerous blockages. Strengthening his theory is the fact that when scientists have looked at atherosclerotic blood vessels, they have sometimes found fragments of periodontal bacteria.
Oral Health for Pregnant Women
For many pregnant women, gum infections stem from the fluctuating hormone levels that come with pregnancy. Others may neglect their oral care during pregnancy, since they have much on their minds. Scientists believe that gum disease or inflammation in the mouth possibly triggers an increase in a chemical compound called prostaglandin, which induces early labor. There is evidence that poor gum health in the extreme can lead to low birth weight as well. Make sure to visit us to ensure that your teeth, gums, and mouth are in the healthiest condition possible.